A new product arises from Genesi: The Open Desktop Workstation is based upon the Genesi Pegasos, a CHRP based motherboard. Integrating selected Open Firmware and running multiple (15+) operating systems, the Workstation is an extremely efficient, very expandable hardware solution for personal and business computer requirements. Both IBM and Motorola feature the new product in their pages.

It says "update Online retailer Amazon.com shaved millions of dollars from its technology costs last quarter by switching to the Linux operating system, a disclosure that could provide some guidance for other companies seeking to cut expenses in a stagnant economy.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the e-commerce giant said it was able to cut technology expenses by about 25 percent, from $71 million to $54 million.

The reduction was attributed primarily to Amazon's "migration to a Linux-based technology platform that utilizes a less-costly technology infrastructure, as well as general price reductions for data and telecommunication services due to market overcapacity," according to the filing.

In a related development, an Intel executive said Tuesday that the Napster file-swapping service and Linux inspired the company to overhaul some of its technology infrastructure.

Amazon's disclosure could provide hard data for Linux proponents who have long argued that the open-source software can save corporations money over the alternatives, such as Unix and Microsoft's various Windows products. A Microsoft representative, however, warned that short-term savings seen by Amazon could turn into a long-term increase in costs.

Linux, a 10-year-old clone of the Unix operating system and a competitor to Windows, burst onto the scene in the late 1990s and now is an established force in the computing industry even though many companies pushing it are faltering. A recent study found that Linux is more powerful than some versions of Unix, but Linux in businesses is used more often on lower-end servers than on the powerful machines at the heart of large companies. But because Linux is essentially a clone of Unix, it's a more natural candidate to replace Unix than the dissimilar Windows.

Linux, which is developed by numerous volunteer programmers and companies, has some major pricing advantages.

"We've recently...found that Linux--if you look at the overall cost of ownership including the hardware, software, staffing, and purchasing and retirement costs--ends up being significantly less expensive than Unix over a three-year period for things like Web serving," said IDC analyst Dan Kusnetzky.

Half the price tag
For 1,000 users tapping into a Linux server, the total cost is about a fifth to a half that of a Unix system, Kusnetzky said. The cost of administering a Linux system is about the same percentage of the overall cost for a Unix or Windows server, he added.

Cutting expenses is certainly important for Amazon right now. The company trimmed its losses by 30 percent in the third quarter, posting a net loss of $170 million. Amazon has pledged that it will be profitable on a pro forma basis by the fourth quarter, and with revenue inching up only $1 million from the year-ago quarter to $639 million, every little bit helps.

According to Internet research firm Netcraft, Amazon's Web pages are dished out by Linux servers running Red Hat's Stronghold Web server, a derivative of the open-source Apache project."

Wow and if I search harder I know I have read that Amazon is using it on the desktop also.

And again you come at me from a lack of knowlage because Xandros and Lindows have great tools for intergrating into Windows networks. Again I go back to the fact that I support Windows, Linux and Unix. I use my Lindows machine 24/7. It works great! People say the boot up is slow, but shoot I only boot the thing once a month or so, no rebooting. No running around like a chicken with my head cut off when the Mydoom comes gunning for ya! LOL!

And we know the IBM now has it's own Linux version called Blue Linux which they plan to have all their desktop users on by next year.

Everyone is saying that LongHorn is going to kill Linux. LOL! When ever it's released. We only hope that it's better then just an XP upgrade. We also hope it doesn't cost $350 dollars when it comes out. But with XP costing $299 US dollars for the full Pro version and $199 for the home version I don't seeing Longhorn being much less then $350. So hey if you love it that much that you are willing to pay Microsoft that kind of doe (Or you just steal it like most people do anyway) Remember this, your use of MP3's will be restricted, the License key will be harder to get around and your PC will be sending data back to MS on everything you do. LOL! (Which XP already does) (good luck!)